Broncos win high-scoring game over Browns and stay in playoff position

DENVER — The Denver Broncos continued their push for their first playoff berth since 2015, winning a wild 41-32 game over the Cleveland Browns on Monday night at Empower Field at Mile High in a matchup that produced a combined 952 yards of offensive.

The Broncos were able to prevail despite giving up 497 passing yards to Browns quarterback Jameis Winston thanks to big plays, namely pick-sixes by linebacker Nik Bonitto and nickel cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian along with a touchdown pass from 93 yards from rookie quarterback Bo Nix. to Marvin Mims Jr. That was barely enough to withstand a barrage from Winston and wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, who had nine catches for 235 yards and a 70-yard touchdown catch in his first game against his former team after being traded in the low season.

Here are the most important things to know coming into Monday night for both teams:

A lot of things have gone right for the Broncos this season, as they have shown a lot of progress while also showing a lot of promise.

Monday night was their chance to prove they were legitimate playoff contenders in the AFC. And what people saw was a wild back-and-forth game that the Broncos somehow won, as they outlasted the Browns to maintain a two-game cushion for the final wild card spot.

The win moves the Broncos to 8-5 as they head into their bye week and keeps them in the No. 7 seed in the AFC despite many jaw-dropping moments. Along the way, the Broncos had their longest defensive touchdown of the season (71 yards by Bonitto) and their longest offensive touchdown of the season, resulting in their first game with two touchdowns of at least 70 yards since 1997. Their defense was He gave up one season. high in yards before the third quarter ended, but scored twice to give Denver the victory.

It was by far their wildest game of the season, which will cause a lot of pause when they return from the break, but it was the win they needed to be three games above .500 after 13 games for the first time since 2016. They are still in line to break that eight-year playoff drought.

Describe the game in two words: Great escape. A raucous local crowd, a beautiful evening, and a national audience to see his work, but all of that nearly evaporated in the messiest of losses. The Broncos had a clunky offensive first half (the Broncos had two three-and-out drives in the first half) and an absolute collapse on defense that resulted in pinball numbers for Winston and Jeudy. The Broncos, wild night and all, are still in the thick of the playoff race, but they raised the team’s blood pressure to the limit to do it.

Most surprising performance: The Broncos defense, which has been so reliable this season, had the wildest of plays Monday night, especially in the first half. Winston completed 18 of 31 passes for 245 yards and two touchdowns at halftime. Denver entered Monday with six games this season in which it gave up less than 300 yards to an opposing offense and 10 games this season in which it gave up less than 245 yards through the air. Bonitto returned a first-half interception 71 yards for a touchdown and McMillian returned the game-winner for a score 46 yards with 1:48 left, but the Broncos were on their heels for much of the night. And there is a lot to repair before they play again.

Worrying trend: The Browns certainly noticed the absence of cornerback Riley Moss on defense, as Jeudy caught nine passes for 235 yards, including a 70-yard touchdown. Moss suffered what coach Sean Payton called a sprained MCL in his right knee in Denver’s Week 12 win over the Raiders and did not play. And while the Broncos’ decision not to simply pair Pat Surtain II with Jeudy at night can be debated, Winston repeatedly went after Moss’ replacement, Levi Wallace, in coverage, especially when the Broncos were in nickel. Moss’ status will have to be watched as the Broncos enter their bye. -Jeff Legwold

Next match: vs. Indianapolis Colts (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, December 15)

Winston produced the most prolific passing game of his 10-year career and Jeudy had a career night against his former team. But a valiant effort by Cleveland fell short in Denver.

A pair of Winston pick-sixes, including one on a potential game-winning drive, cost the Browns their high-scoring game Monday night. The loss clinches the Browns’ 22nd losing season since returning to Cleveland in 1999.

It’s been a disappointing season for Cleveland, which entered the season with deep playoff hopes but was plagued by poor play from Deshaun Watson before his season-ending Achilles injury in Week 7. Winston has revitalized the life of the Browns since he took over. As a starter, but his high-variance play was once again on display before a national television audience.

QB Breakdown: Winston continued his strong play since becoming the starter in Week 8 and made history doing so. His 497 passing yards marked not only a career-high, but also set a Browns franchise record, surpassing the 489 yards that Bernie Kosar threw against the New York Jets in 1986 in the divisional playoffs. This was also Winston’s third career game with at least 450 passing yards and four touchdowns, tying Peyton Manning for the most in NFL history. But these three interceptions and two pick-sixes were exhausting. His second pick-six was ultimately the difference in the loss, but par for the course of his career.

Promising trend: Jeudy recorded his fifth consecutive game with at least 70 yards, continuing the longest streak of his career. His 235 receiving yards marked a career-high and the most by a player in his first game against a former team in NFL history, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

Silver lining: For the fourth time in five starts under Winston, the Browns were competitive against a playoff-contending team. Cleveland came up short this time in a heartbreaking loss, but it was another game that may give the Browns’ decision-makers the idea that, despite a disappointing season, their roster might be more in need of a shakeup than a complete dismantling. –Daniel Oyefusi

Next match: at Pittsburgh Steelers (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)